Shipping case



Fgb. 1, 1944.

.1. K, LIMBERTET AL.

SHIPPING CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed \Nov. 23, 1942 v Feb. 1, 1944. J; K. LIMBERT ETAL SHIPPING CASE Filed NOV. 25, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v tween the respectivefillers.

mend'reb. 1, 1944 John K. Limbert, Waterloo,

`Iowa, and Warren G.

Branc and Nick McClure, Chicago, lll., assignors to Central Fibre Products Company Inc.,

cago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application November 23, 1942, Serial No. 466,328 :t Claims. (Cl. 229-52) The present invention relates to cases or crates for use in shipping small fragile articles. Since one principal use relates to cases for the shipment of eggs, the invention, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, will be described in-connection with such use.

In the commercial shipment of eggs there is generally employed what is termed a standard egg case or crate. Such standard cases or crates have heretofore generally been made of wood. Usually the sides, bottom and top are made of thinner'material than the ends, which are of relatively thick stock to give rigidity to the case. The standard case is also provided with a central vertical partition l of stock usually about the thickness of the ends and whereby the case is divided into two compartments, each of which is designed to receive a packI of iteen dozen eggs. Hence, the case as a whole contains thirty dozen eggs. A pack of thirty dozen eggs is of considerable weight so that a strong case is required. i

In practice, it is customary to reinforce the case or crate by securing transverse cleats of wood at the bottom and top of each end. Y

`In order to protect the eggs against breakage in shipment, it is customary to pack them in layers. Thus, in each compartment there are five layers of three dozens each. The usual packing arrangement is to provide ller,' which are intersecting strips of material forming thirty-six individual pockets or cells in each of which one egg is confined. In order to space the fillers vertically and to provide cushions for the eggs, the fillers are spaced apart by iiats or ats and pads. At the present time the most general practice is to employ ailat which has combination characteristics -of fiat and pad. Six such flats are used in each compartment, one at the bottom, one at the top and the other four be- A standard egg case is approximately twelve and one-half inches high. The space in each compartment which is approximately eleven and one-half inches square, is compactly filled by the assembly relation` before described.

without the necessity of using metal fasteners or any other metal reinforcing or securing parts.

Again, it is an object of the invention to provide a shipping case which may be used to ship thirty dozen eggs and which case shall not only be strong enough to permit the necessary handling and shipping treatment, but which shall also be substantially the same overall size as the standard wooden case heretofore employed so that the .same number may beplaced in the usual freight or express car.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a shipping case of the kind mentioned, which will have means whereby it may be readily lifted and' handled in transferring the same from place to place.

A further object of the invention is to provide a case of the kind mentioned which shall have novel means of dividing the case as a whole into, two compartments of standard size and which means shall also serve to reinforce the case as a whole.

Other objects ofthe invention will appear from the following detailed description.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an egg case em` bodyin'g the preferred form of the invention, packed with eggs in the usual manner, with parts I illustrated as broken away, better to show the structure involved.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the egg case shown in Fig. 1, as taken on the line 2--2 thereof, the eggs, fillers and flats being omitted for the sake of clarity.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the egg case-as taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, the eggs, fillers and flats being omitted.

Fig. 4 is a detaiivertical sectional view through an end part of the case as taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the blank from which v the body of theimproved egg case is made;

The general object of the present invention I is to provide `a shipping case which can be used as a standard egg case but which may be formed of bre, corrugated paper board stock or the like and stillbe of suflicient strength to stand up under usual shipping practices.

A further object ofthe invention vis to provide a shipping casev of the kind described which can be delivered tothe user in knocked-down form and quickly and easily assembled into a case body and a top member for closing the same.

It is also an object of the invention toprovide a shipping case of fibre corrugated board stock or the like, which can be assembled, if desired,

Fig. 6 is a plan view ofv the blank from which the cover for the body is made.

Fig. 'l is a plan View of one of a pair of blanks which, when folded, serve to divide the case into two compartments of equal size and also serve for other purposes.

Referring first to Fig. 5, the'body is formed from a sheet of blank stock, to which the general l reference character I has been applied.` The blank is of substantially rectangular form and may be'composed of any of a number of materials such as fibre stock, ,corrugated board stock or the like. One preferred material is a double faced corrugated board having what is known in trade as a C flute. The blank I is4 scored along lines 2 and 3 which represent the sides of the bottom of the body when the blank is folded to form said the scored lines 2 and 3 body. It is also scored along the lines 4 and 5, which lines representl the' ends of the bottom of the body when the blank is folded to constitute the body. Additionally the blank I is slitted or cut as indicated at 6, 1,' 8 and 9, which slits, to-

gether with the scored lines SS, 1S, 8S and 9S form ap or wing members I 0, II, I2 and I3 re' spectively. Between the slits 6 and 1 is a portion I4 which forms part of one end of the body when the blank is folded to4 shape and between the slits 8 and 9 is a portion I5 which forms part of the opposite end of the body of the case when the blank is folded.

In the parts I0, I I, I2 and I 3, there are provided cut out openings I6, I1,I8 and I9 and in the portions I4 and I5 are similar sized openings 20 and 2I. As will appear later when the blank is folded to shape, these openings all are arranged in operative alignment or register so that they form ahand hold opening.

In order to convert the flat blank I into the body part,l it is convenient to fold the stock along so that the portions 22 and 23, which are to constitute the vertical side walls of the case body, extend perpendicular to the bottom part of the case, which is the portion within the four scored lines 2, 3, 4 and 5. Since y the flaps I0 22 and the aps II and I2 are carried by portion 23, they will also initially be disposed vertically or perpendicular in the first folding operation. After the parts 22 and'23 have thus been folded to perpendicular position, the flap `II) is first folded inwardly so that it is at right angles to the portion 22 and so that it is disposed edgewise substantially over the scored line 5. Thereafter the other flap II is likewise folded inwardly so that it is disposed at right angles to the portion 23 and is in side by side or overlapping relation with respect to the portion I0 which was rst yfolded inwardly. As a' next step, the part I4 is folded upwardly so that it is perpendicular to the bottom and so that its inner face abuts the outer 4face of the second folded fiap II.

It will be observed that the flap portion I4 is scored along two parallel lines 24 and 25, thus providing a subsidiary ap portion 26, the purpose of which will presently appear.

With the parts in the positions thus described the subsidiary nap portion 26 of the member I4 is folded over the tops of the two end flap members I I) and II ,so that it is disposed in a downwardly facingdirection on vthe inside of the member I0, being the rst member which was folded into position. Because of the two scored lines 24 and 25, there is provided a width of stock 21v substantially the width of. the edges `of the two members I 0 and II, which width of stock is thus disposed-.on the top of said edges and prevents the danger of` tearing the stock of flap I4 which might occur unless such a portion were provided.

When the parts have' thus been positioned at one end of the blank, similar action is taken at the other end, parts being likewise formed and folded in the sequence specified.

When the blank is thus folded to position, it will be understood that the openings I6, and I1 at one end are in register, thus providing a hand hold, whichin Figs. l and 4 is given the general reference character 28. Obviously there will be such a hand hold at each end of the case.

In order to hold the body blank in the folded lposition, it is necessary to provide some means therefor. As indicated, this means takes the form of a strip of gummed fabric-backed paper and I3 are carried bythe portion tened, inserted through the hand stock. A strip.` of such material '2910i a width substantially the same as the width'of the hand hold 28 is provided. The gummed strip is moishold opening 28and the ends thereof passed upwardly around the outer and inner wall surfaces of the casel until the ends overlap,l being pressed firmly into adhering Contact therewith and thereby rmly holding the end parts in desired operative relation. Bymakingy the width of the strip 29 the same as the width of the hand hold opening, the edges of the gummed fabric strip serve to assist in preventing lateral displacement of the various end wall parts of the body.

The parts as thus far` described form the body of the case with only one large compartment orspace. As explained, a customary egg case pack requires two compartments. In order to provide two compartments, two strips of material, one of which is shown in Fig. 7. are pro` vided. Referring particularly to Fig. 7, 30 represents an elongated rectangular strip-like blank orpiece of sheet material preferably of the same general stock as the material of blank I. The blank 30 is scored along lines 3I, 32 and 33, thus forming four substantially rectangular parts 34, 36, 36 and 31. The `blank 3l) is folded along the lines 3|, 32 and 33 to such shape as to dispose each portion 34, 35, 36 and 31 at right angles to its, adjacent member. As is well shown in Fig. 2, said portions when so formed vconstitute a tube, in which the end edge portions 38 and 39 (see Fig. 7) abut at one corner of the body case. As is also clear from Fig. 2, another 4such tubular member is placed in the body of the case so that the case as a whole is divided into two compartments. constituted by the two abutting wall portions of the two strips 30, thus not only dividing the body of the case into two compartments, but also furnishing a rigid reinforcement centrally ofthe casa The strip4 30 is of such height or depth that it extends from the bottom of the case body to a line coincident with the top edge of the body of the case, as is well shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4.

The cover of the case is formed from a sheet of stock 4U (see Fig.v 6). This stock is preferably of the same material as that of which the body lines 4I, 42, 43 and 44. It is also slitted as indicated at 45, 46,l 41 and 48. Additional score lines 49, 50, 5I and 52 extend between the outer edges of the blank and the adjacent slits 45, 46, 41 and 46 as the case may be. The lines and slits thus described divide the sheet 40 so as to provide a rectangular portion 53, which when the blank is folded, constitutes the main or body part of the top. Additionally, there is provided end flap portions 54 and 55 and side flap portions 56 and 51, the flap portions 56 and 51 in turn having subsidiary flap parts 58, 59, 60 and 6I.

The nap parts 54 and 55 in turn are provided with cut out openings 62 and 63, which are of the same size as the cut out openings in the body of .the case. v

Assume that the body of the case has been folded and secured in position by means of the gummed strip material to place the top on the case. It will be-.underpacked with eggs E as indicated l schematically 1n Fig. 1, there being fifteen dozen eggs in earch The central division is 40 is scored along the l 29 and that lt is'desired compartment, each compartment inturn comprising a stack of fillers F and flats FS, as before described. No attempt has been made to show the exact configuration of the flats and fillers, as they are of well known construction. They have, therefore, been shown only in general outline without illustrating surface coniigurations.

To affix the top, the top blank is placed on the open top of the case body so that the scored lines 4I and 42 are in substantial alignment with the top side edges of the4 case body. The parts 5l and 55 are then folded at right angles to the body portion 53 of the top, in which condition they are inserted downwardly into the space between the tubulal` insert formed from blank 30 and the end wall of the case, as is best shown in Fig. 4. Conveniently this operation may first be performed at one end and then at the other. At this time the subsidiary ap parts 58, 59, 60 and 6I are folded so that they are at substantially a right angie with respect to the parts 56 and 51, to w 'ch they are secured. With the parts lthus positioned, flap parts 58, '59, 60 and 6l are inserted in between the several layers of which the end of the body is composed. It will be understood that in completing this operation, the portions 56 and 51 will be bent downwardly along the outer sides of the body of the case, finally coming to a position of. rest in contact with the outer sides ofthe body, as is well shown. in Fig. l; This operation locks the cover firmly in position on the body of the case and forms a safe satisfactory and practical closure for the open top of the case body.

From the description previously given, it will be understood that the top side edges of` the body and the top side edges of the inserts formed from blanks 30 engage the under side of the cover and thus tionally, the center of the top is supported transversely by the two adjacent edges of the two members 30, which extend across the center of the case.

As is best shown in Fig. 4 it Vwill also be seen that each end of the cover iinds support upon the top edge of the adjacent endcf the part formed from blank 30.

A shipping case constructed in accordance with this invention has, or may have, overall dimensions which are substantially those of a standard egg case. It thus is capable of receiving standard fillers and flats. It may be handled asa standard egg case and it may be shipped as such a case. Hence, there is dier to learn when filling a freight or express car with egg cases. o

Because of the openings provided in the body of the case and also in parts of the top of the case, good hand hold grips are provided at points where a number of layers of stock material is positioned in side by side relationship. This gives sufficient width of material to prevent cutting or injury of the fingers or hands and also prevents breakage of the case material under the considerable weight which a loaded case entails.

give good support thereto. Addi nothing new for the freight hanance to endwise movement is interposed. There is, therefore, less danger of egg breakage during shipment.

It will also be understood that flats are of an .overall or outside dimension which is substantially the same as the opening or compartment space provided by the strip 30 when folded to tubular form. Therefore, when the flats are inserted, as when packing eggs, they fit compactly and assist in the general bracing of the case from end to end and from side to side.

From the foregoing description, it will also be understood that the case as a whole is formed from materials which are abundantly available, does not require the use of any metal; may be shipped in knocked down form, and readily assembled without any tools and by any ordinary person.

Modifications may be made within the scope I of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

l. A shipping case embodying therein an open top rectangular body made from a blank of sheet material formed to provide a bottom and upright sides, said bottom and sides each including flaps adapted to be folded into overlapping relation to form the ends of the body, said flaps forming the ends for the body having registering cutouts therein with square cut upper corners providing hand hold openings in and substantially adjacent the top edge of the associated end of the body, one of the flaps in each endofthe body having an extension for folding across the top edges of the other naps in the same end and then downwardlyito engage that part of one of said other fifi When eggs are shipped by freight, it is cusilaps'above the cutouts therein. and an adhesive tape passing through the upper corner portions of the registering cutouts in each end of the body and encompassing parts of the flaps and said extension thereabove for holding said parts in operative relation, a part of said tape engaging at its edges in the square cut corner portions of the hand hold opening in ea h end of the body and preventing a relatively lateral shifting of said flaps and extension in t-he same end of the body.

2. A shipping case embodying therein an open top rectangular body made from a blank of sheet material formed to provide a bottom and up-v right sides, said bottom and sides each including flaps adapted to be folded `into overlapping relation to form the ends of the body, said flaps forming the ends for the body having registering cutouts therein with square cut upper corners providinghand hold openings in and substantially adjacent the top edge of the associated end of the body, the flap in each end of the body, associated with the bottom thereof having an extension for folding across the top edges of the other flaps in the same end and then downwardly to engage that part of one of said other flaps above the cutouts therein. and an adhesive tape passing through the upper corner portion of the registering cutouts in each end of the body and encompassing parts of the aps and extension thereabove for holding said `parts in operative relation. a part of said tape engaging at its edges in the square cut corner portion of the hand hold opening in each end of the body and preventing sion in the same end of the body.

JOHN K. LIMBERT. WARREN G. BRANE. NICK McCLUR-E. 

